Braemar vs Mittagong: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Braemar and Mittagong are both Wingecarribee rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 91.7 km and 93.3 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Braemar runs $368 a year cheaper than Mittagong, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,219.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Braemar
Mittagong
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Braemar | Mittagong | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $2,140 | $2,140 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,300 | $1,300 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,873 | $3,941 | -$68 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,700 | $2,000 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,800 | $1,800 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,013 | $9,381 | -$368 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,540 | $7,840 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Braemar | Mittagong | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Braemar vs Mittagong (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Braemar costs $368 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,219 in favour of Braemar.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $7,540 from Braemar versus $7,840 from Mittagong.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Braemar cumulative | Mittagong cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,013 | $9,381 | $368 |
| Year 3 | $27,858 | $28,996 | $1,138 |
| Year 5 | $47,851 | $49,805 | $1,954 |
| Year 10 | $103,324 | $107,543 | $4,219 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Braemar or Mittagong cheaper to live in?
Braemar is cheaper to run by car at $9,013 per year versus $9,381 for Mittagong, a difference of $368 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Braemar and Mittagong?
Annual council rates for a house are $2,140 in Braemar (Wingecarribee rates (OLG) and $2,140 in Mittagong (Wingecarribee rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,300 in Braemar and $1,300 in Mittagong. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Braemar and Mittagong?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,873 from Braemar and $3,941 from Mittagong to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Braemar and $2,400 from Mittagong.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Braemar and Mittagong?
At 3% annual cost growth, Braemar costs a cumulative $103,324 and Mittagong costs $107,543 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,219 in favour of Braemar. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Braemar and Mittagong is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
Sources: Wingecarribee rates (OLG and Wingecarribee rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.